10/28/2013

1

People of the Revolution

AMERICANS

George Washington

� Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

� Great leader and had the ability to rally troops and unify a military that had sub par supplies, poor equipment, and little training.

� Credited for the American victory of Britain

Benedict Arnold

� Military hero for both sides in the same war

� He began his career as an American Patriot in May 1775, when he and Ethan Allen led the brigade that captured Fort Ticonderoga

� Led an assault at Saratoga

� The whole time he sent military intelligence to a British contact, Major John Andre. Andre was caught with incriminating documents in Arnold's handwriting, including routes of access to American forts.

10/28/2013

2

John Paul Jones

� Born in Scotland and fled to America

� Defeated the British Serapis which inspired Americans

� “I have not yet begun to fight!”

� Considered “Father of the U.S. Navy”

James Armistead

• African American slave

who pretended to be a runaway

• Worked as a “double agent spy” for George Washington

• He relayed information to the Patriot Commanders that aided in a victory at Yorktown

Women of the Revolution

� Abigail Adams - Wrote letters to her husband, John Adams, that help historians understand the Revolutionary

era. She wanted women to obtain equal status with men when forming the new government. Also known to have advocated for public education for girls.

� Mercy Otis Warren - Writer who authored plays, poems and essays supported the idea of independence.

Her writings convinced many in Massachusetts to become Patriots.

� Phillis Wheatley - African American slave who became an esteemed poet and wrote many poems to George Washington expressing her support.

FOREIGNERS

10/28/2013

3

Marquis de Lafayette

� French nobleman

� Wanted a military career and believed in American cause

� Highest French rank in the Continental Army

� Helped secure French support and was able to obtain French troops and supplies

Baron von Steuben

� German officer

� Asked by Washington to train army into a skilled fighting force

� Drilled American soldiers at Valley Forge and turned them into skilled fighters

� Many of his tactics and military training are still practiced and are the basis for the U.S. military today

Haym Salomon

� Polish born Jewish immigrant

� Member of the Sons of Liberty

� Convinced many Hessians to desert the British military

� Arrested as a spy by the British but escaped before being hanged

� Became a financial broker and helped finance the U.S. Continental Congress using his own money

Bernardo de Galvez

� Descendant of Spanish nobility and became Governor of Louisiana Territory

� Due to “bad blood” between Spain and Britain, he sided with the Americans during the war

� Bought Spanish weapons, gunpowder, clothing and many other vital supplies that were essential to the colonial army

� Galveston, Texas is named in his honor